Bass Coast Shire (VIC) council rates — what you pay and when

Rates & fees

Rates pay for most council services. In Victoria, the state sets a yearly cap on how much a council can raise its average rates. For 2026–27 the cap is 2.75%, and Bass Coast's adopted budget raises average general rates by that much. The cap applies to the average across all properties, so your own bill can rise or fall by more. It moves with your property's value compared with everyone else's, your property type, the waste charge, and the state levy printed on the same notice.

New to these terms? Read them in plain English

Pensioner rebate: A discount on rates for eligible pensioners.

See the full explainer, with formulas →

Rates at a glance

2026–27 rate rise: Average general rates: +2.75%In line with the 2.75% cap set under the Fair Go Rates System run by the Essential Services Commission. The council adopted the budget at its meeting on 17 June 2026. Bass Coast has no municipal charge.
How your rates are calculated: Capital Improved Value × the rate in the dollar for your property type2026–27 rates: developed land (residential, commercial and industrial) 0.239195 cents per dollar of CIV; farms 65% of that (0.155477); vacant land 200% (0.478390); recreational and cultural land 60% (0.143517). Under the Rating Strategy adopted in February 2026, the farm rate fell from 80% to 65% of the general rate and the vacant land rate rose from 150% to 200%.Rates and payments →
Waste charge (2026–27): $681.73 for the standard three binsUp $63.73 (10.3%) on 2025–26. It covers a 120-litre general rubbish bin, a 240-litre recycling bin and a 240-litre FOGO bin. Eligible pensioners get a 20% rebate, which brings it to $544.92. Extra bins: recycling $141.20, FOGO $177.60, 120-litre general rubbish $176.50; upsizing the general rubbish bin to 240 litres costs $136.35. Waste charges aren't covered by the rate cap.Bin charges →
When it's due: 4 instalments (30 Sep, 30 Nov, 28 Feb, 31 May), or in full by 15 FebruaryNotices go out in July or August. You can also pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly through the council's Payble service at no extra cost, as long as the rates are paid in full by 31 May. Other ways to pay: BPAY, phone (1300 300 408), Centrepay, Australia Post, mail, or at a customer service centre.Pay your rates →
Interest on overdue rates: Penalty interest rate — currently 10% a yearSet under the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983, as the council's Revenue and Rating Plan states; check your notice.
Pensioner rebates: Up to $322.70 off rates, plus 20% off the waste chargeThe $322.70 is a $272.70 state rebate plus $50 off the state levy on the same notice. The council's 20% waste charge rebate is new in 2026–27. Both apply to your principal place of residence and need a Pensioner Concession Card or a DVA Gold Card (War Widow or TPI); health care cards don't qualify.Concessions →
Vacant land rebate for first home buyers: Rate reduced to the equivalent of 150%, from 1 July 2026For eligible first home buyers building their home, on application. The council's Revenue and Rating Plan says the relief lasts for up to two years.
Financial hardship: Payment plans, and support under the council's hardship policyIf you can't pay by the due date, contact the council's Revenue Services Team on 03 5671 2211 or through the online payment arrangement form. Eligible ratepayers can also apply to defer rates on their home.Rates support →
Also on your notice: ESVF: Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund — a state levyThe council collects it for the Victorian Government and passes it all to the State Revenue Office. It replaced the Fire Services Property Levy on 1 July 2025. It isn't council revenue and isn't covered by the rate cap.About the ESVF →
Under review: how the waste charge is split: Consultation open, September–October 2026The council is consulting on replacing the single waste charge with two charges: a waste collection charge for properties with the kerbside service, and a municipal waste charge for all rateable properties, covering services such as public bins, dumped rubbish and closed landfills. The council says about 4,000 properties without kerbside collection don't pay a waste charge now. Any change would be set in the 2027–28 budget.Have your say →

The 2.75% rise, the rates in the dollar and the waste charges come from the adopted Annual Budget 2026–27 (§8.1.1) and the council's rates page. The instalment dates, interest rate, deferral and first-home-buyer relief come from the draft 2026–27 Revenue and Rating Plan in the 15 April 2026 council agenda (read from an archived copy). Check your own notice for your figures.

Sources — check it yourself

Figures are current as at the dates shown and may change — always confirm with the linked source. See the notice at the bottom of the page for full details and how to report a correction.